Eurovisionary

Portuguese broadcaster RTP invited new and old composers, known from anything between jazz and electro, some expected, but also some unexpected one. We take a look at what to expect from the 26 composers for the 2018 edition of Festival da Canção.

Last week, the line-up of composers for the Portuguese national selection were announced. Overall, 26 composers were selected. Out of those, 22 were formally invited by the broadcaster – RTP – while one was invited by 2017 Eurovision winner Salvador Sobral. The remaining three were selected by the radio station Antena 1, out of 346 submissions.

Next year’s show will be built off from two semi finals that will select seven out of 13 songs each. The 14 that will make it through to the grand final will be performed one last time, on March 4th in Muiltiusos Guimarães. One will be crowned the winner and represent the country on home field at the Eurovision Song Contest in May.

See alsoGreece: ERT receives entry sung by Areti Ketime

If we go back to Festival da Canção 2017, RTP reinvented the show by providing greater space for diversity and new artists. The mission was so well succeeded that Portugal won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time ever and it looks like they’re not stepping back their game next year just because the country is guaranteed a place in the final. In fact, not only did they increase the number of composers, but invited a big mix of musical genres to make sure the right song is chosen.

Contents

1 Former Eurovision acts are back in the competition

2 RTP is ready to bring different cultures to Festival da Canção

3 Portugal’s current biggest popstar is among the composers

Former Eurovision acts are back in the competition

There is not one, but two former Eurovision acts that will return to Festival da Canção along with a third one solely related to the Portuguese’s national selection show: Fernando Tordo (1973), José Cid (1980) and Jorge Palma (Festival da Canção, 1975).

Let’s start with the older one (with all due respect), Fernando Tordo. One can expect the singer to bring some Fado to the table during this year’s Festival da Canção. Actually, it’s hard to recall an edition of the event where Fado wasn’t present. Either way, two other composers – Júlio Resende and Diogo Clemente – are most likely delivering songs in the same genre.

As for José Cid, this will mark his 14th participation in the show. The last one takes us back to 2007, when the singer was in charge of Na Ilha Dos Sonhos production. Even though the Portuguese legend is better known for his progressive rock music, his admiration for Salvador Sobral may direct him towards a jazz entry. In fact, Jazz may end up being one of the most explored genres in next year’s edition. Besides Cid and JP Simões, also Janeiro – Salvador’s invited composer – will most likely present a jazz entry despite of his rock and electronic influences. Rita Dias (chosen by Antena 1) could also go with an entry of the same genre as her music style could easily be compared to Salvador’s sister, Luísa Sobral. Either way, folk isn’t out of the way for the Portuguese singer.

See alsoUK: the BBC open for entry submissions for Eurovision 2018

Pop rock is another music genre that won’t be forgotten in Festival da Canção 2018 either, as Jorge Palma will obviously serve something alike. Nonetheless, he surely won’t be the only one. Miguel Ângelo – from the popular group Delfins – is also known for producing music within that genre.

RTP is ready to bring different cultures to Festival da Canção

While the Portuguese culture will be highly represented through Fado, there will be space for more cultures. Africa and Brazil, for instances, will also take part in Festival da Canção 2018. Paulo Flores, Tito Paris and the Angolan Aline Frazão will bring the African flavor to the stage while Mallu Magalhães will be in charge of a Bossa Nova entry.

Capicua, on the other hand, will prove that Portugal is not solely represented by Fado as the Hip Hop singer will bring unprecedented sounds to the show. Daniela Onis (chosen by Antena 1) and João Afonso will be in charge of the folk and acoustic sounds while Peter Serrado (also chosen by Antena 1) and Paulo Praça of simple Pop sounds.

A mix of alternative, indie and electronic music will also be part of the show with names such as Isaura (a Portuguese version of Halsey and the only one who will most likely sing in english), Francisco Rebelo (from the group Orelha Negra) and Armando Teixeira.

Three names are yet to be presented. All of them represent yet another music genre. Francisca Cortesão – part of Minta & The Brook Trout – has an old school vibe mixed with soul music. On the other hand, Benjamim will certainly be in charge of the happy tune of the year due to his Pop feel good music.

Portugal’s current biggest popstar is among the composers

Did we keep the best for last – that depends on everyone’s taste – we end the biggest surprise of the year: Diogo Piçarra. Diogo won Portuguese Idol’s fifth edition and later became one of the biggest names in Portuguese music. Mixing Pop with R&B, Diogo Piçarra can easily be considered Portugal’s version of Justin Bieber. Each song released becomes a radio smash hit and every concert he announces, sells out quite quickly.

Diogo will certainly be the reason a lot of people will tune in to watch next year’s edition, and too early to tell, but maybe also the favourite to win.

The Eurovision Song Contest’s official website has been nominated for a Lovie Award. The Awards celebrate all things European internet and eurovision.tv needs your votes!

Every year, the Lovie Awards pick out and honour some of the best features on the European Internet, such as websites, popular TV shows, best social video series, online advertising, branded entertainment, etc, all of this being accepted in a total of seven native languages. The Lovie Awards’ aim is to acknowledge the unique and remarkable talents and features the European Internet community has to offer.

See alsoElhaida Dani releases first single since her 2015 Eurovision participation

This year, in the 7th edition of the Lovie Awards, the Eurovision Song Contest’s official website, eurovision.tv, has been chosen as a nominee for the People’s Lovie Award in the television category.

The lines close on Thursday, the 5th of October! We would like to wish eurovision.tv good luck!

It has been confirmed that the Greek broadcaster has already received a song for its 2018 national selection. The traditional-sounding entry is sung by folk musician and former child prodigy, Areti Ketime.

It was revealed only a few days ago, that ERT is considering a return to a Greek national final for 2018. The public broadcaster will make a final decision on the matter based on whether there will be enough entries of sufficient quality. If so, the chances are there will be a national final as opposed to internally selecting the Greek entry for 2018.

Dimitris Karras, the song’s composer and producer, confirmed today that he and his team have already submitted an entry. Its singer is folk singer and santoor player Areti Ketime and the song itself was described by the composer as combining traditional Greek and Balkan influences with strong choral elements. The lyrics apparently refer to humanitarian issues such as the current immigration crisis as well as world peace.

It is a song that primarily suits Areti (…) We wanted to do what we know how to do well, not to disguise as something we are not (…) At the end of the day, (Eurovision) is too big an event to be confined by (musical) labels and no-go areas.

Dimitris Karras, composer and music producer.

Areti Ketime

Areti first became known to the Greek public as a prodigy singer and santoor player. Aged thirteen, she was chosen by prestigious Greek singer Yorgos Dalaras as one of the support acts for his concerts. Two years later, the young musician would perform during the opening ceremony for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Having remained faithful to her signature traditional and Byzantine musical styles, Areti has since had collaborations with both Greek and international musicians. The young artist’s theatrical experience includes performances as a member of the chorus in Ancient Greek Tragedy as well as roles in children’s theatre.

In the following video, you can listen to Areti’s collaboration with German DJ Shantel, a track called EastWest/Dysi Ki Anatoli. Do you think that the artist and her traditional musical influences would be a good choice for Greece in Eurovision 2018?

Serebro are now a duo, but searching for yet another member to complete the line up. This will be the fifth change to the Serebro line up since their pop debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007. But will it be the last?

How many of the Serebro girls do you remember from Eurovision 2007? Not many, probably. This is due to that only one of the original members still is a part of the group today. Another change is now coming.

The group was formed by music producer Maxim Fadeev with the hope that they would represent Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007. The band, uaually always has consisted of two brunettes and a blonde starting with lead singer Elena Temnikova, Olga Seryabkina and Marina Lizokorna.

The original line up consisting of Marina Lizorkinha, Elena Temnikova & Olga Seryabkina.

Marina left the group shortly after the group appeared at Eurovision and became an artist. She was swiftly replaced with another blonde Anastasia Karpova who stayed with the group until 2013. She is now a persuing solo career. Another blonde was needed and came in the form of Dasha Shashina.

Then it was time for Serebro to lose a brunette. Lead singer Elena Temnikova who was the first member to be signed up to the group at it’s conception left in 2014. Leaving a few months earlier than planned due to pregnancy the group needed an urgent replacement to meet their planned commitments. Karpova temporarily came back and for the first time in the bands history there were two blondes and one brunette. Polina Favorskaya joined the group later that year.

The curse of the blonde continued as Dasha Shashina who had been in the group for 3 years left the group citing health issues. There was an urgent open casting and Russian model Katya Kischuk was the next member to join the band. But it did not end there, Polina Favorskaya has left the group after just 3 years which has left producer Maxim Fadeev in a predicament. Whether to find yet another replacement for Polina to complete the famous trio or to continue as a duo with the oldest member Olga Seryabkina and newest member Katya Kischuk.

When everyone started talking seriously about the duo, I hesitated. Now we are all in a kind of confusion, although they already resigned themselves to the departure of Paulie. I heard all and want to say thank you for the reaction and sincere experiences. It really was important, even more than you can imagine. The history of SEREBRO began with a trio. And history should continue, even if it is difficult for us to accept it”.

Manager and producer, Maxim Fadeev on Instagram

How to apply?

Included in his statement, Fadeev announced that the casting for the new member will be completed immediately via Instagram. Anyone who wants to join the band must submit a 1 minute long video to instagram with the hashtag #SEREBROBQCASTING stating their name, age, height and performing any song of their choosing. The video casting will be open until the end of the week, closing on Sunday 8th October.

Let’s take a moment to enjoy the original line up of Serebro and their performance of their Eurovision entry Song #1. The girls came in 3rd place in 2007 behind Verka Serduchka from Ukraine and the champion Serbian Maria Šerifović.

After a long period without new music, Elhaida Dani releases her very first single since her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, “Më Mbaj”. Along with the song, the Albanian singer premiered its respective video. In her Facebook post, Elhaida promises that many new projects are coming.

Elhaida Dani, Albania’s 2015 representative, is officially back on the music scene. The Albanian singer has just released her brand new single and premiered the video for it. Më Mbaj (in English Keep Me) shows a softer and more reserved side of the singer and gives space for a few traditional elements in the instrumental, thanks to the track’s producers Boocky and Dj Olti.

The Voice Of Italy’s winner was in charge of the song’s lyrics and collaborated with Frederico Mullner and Clara Orpelli while the video’s direction focuses on the good times of a love relationship as the song discusses the same topic.

Given her long absence from the music scene, Elhaida is determined now to focus on new projects. In her Facebook page, along with the announcement of the video, Elhaida promised: “Many new projects are coming.”

We surely can’t wait to hear more from Elhaida! In the meantime, here’s Më Mbaj:

After two years of internal selections, ERT asks the record labels for their proposals for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. Depending on the proposals, ERT’ s intention is to hold again the familiar Greek national final, where 5-7 artists compete for the right to represent the country in the contest.

INFE Greece reports that, after two years of bad results for Greece, the new board of ERT wants a succesful entry. That is why they are returning to the old method they used to have in previous years. The Greek national broadcaster has already sent a letter to the 8 biggest record labels in the country, asking for their proposals for the next Eurovision in Lisbon. ERT’s plan for implementing its national final will depend on whether there is a sufficient number of decent participants. All the proposals that will be submitted will be evaluated by a committee set up by ERT for this purpose.